Thottilpalam SI held on bribery charge

The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) on Thursday arrested P. Soman, principal sub-inspector of Thottilpalam police station, and an accomplice on the charge of taking Rs.20,000 as bribe from a Gulf-returnee.

VACB sources said the officer was caught red-handed while taking Rs.10,000 from Jaffer, the complainant, at the former’s official quarters at 4 p.m.

He had taken an equivalent sum through Nazer Cherothu, an agent, they said. The VACB team, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) M.P. Premdas and Circle Inspector Abdul Wahab, recovered Rs.6,500 from the officer.

Threats

The officer had demanded Rs.25,000 from Jaffer. He threatened the complainant with dire consequences including preventive custody under Section 107 (security for keeping the peace in other cases) of the Code of Criminal Procedure in connection with a case previously registered against him, Mr. Premdas said.

Both the accused will be produced before the Kozhikode Vigilance Inquiry Commissioner and Special Judge on Friday.